UNESCO has reaffirmed that infrastructure development is permitted at World Heritage Sites, provided it meets acceptable standards and safeguards the sites’ Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Speaking at a high-level side event organised by Zambia on Harnessing the Coexistence of Heritage Conservation and Energy Development, UNESCO World Heritage Director, Lazare Assomo stressed the need for early dialogue and robust technical evaluations before decisions become irreversible and potentially detrimental to a site’s OUV.
The event, held on the sidelines of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, convened ambassadors and UNESCO delegations to provide technical clarification and justification regarding the scope and associated impacts of the BGHES, a major renewable energy project designed to generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity.
Mr Assomo noted that existing tools and frameworks are available to guide States Parties in managing development impacts and praised Zambia’s proactive role in promoting sustainable development.
He highlighted the importance of balancing conservation with the needs of communities that rely on cultural and natural resources.
And African World Heritage Fund Executive Director Albino Jopela emphasised that for World Heritage to be meaningful to the communities who are custodians of these sites it must reflect a balanced approach across economic, environmental, social, and security dimensions.
Meanwhile, Zambezi River Authority Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa highlighted that the Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme (BGHES) aligns with International Union for Conservation of Nature best practices and the World Heritage impact assessment toolkit.
He noted that the design aims to ensure zero impact on the outstanding universal value of the site, enabling a mutually beneficial balance between economic development and heritage conservation.
National Heritage Conservation Commission Acting Executive Director Kagosi Mwamulowe said BGHES presents a renewable energy solution to help address Africa’s energy crisis, with over 600 million people lacking electricity.
He indicated that the project is located 47 km downstream from Victoria Falls, outside the core zone, and includes design measures to safeguard the site’s integrity.
The side event showcased how the BGHES is being used as a pilot to demonstrate that development and conservation can coexist in line with UNESCO’s 2015 Policy on World Heritage and Sustainable Development.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambia Embassy in France Naomi Mweemba.
